Off, On and Frogged

Off the needles:

The Moebius scarf - it needs work! First of all, it's not a real moebius - mine has one and a half twists. Secondly, it needs to be blocked. It is alot more narrow than I want it to be and very long.

The toe-up-sock - this is a small sock to be used for my "adventsocken".

On the needles:

A thong (a gift for my sister-in-law), a pair of toe-up-socks for T., and a dishcloth for my SP10.

Frogged:

The toe-up socks for myself. I realized a did not have enough of the solid blue yarn (used above in the small sock), so I've decided to use that blue as toes and heels in combination with this yarn.

Pysanky

I learned to knit back in the 1970's. For several years during the 80's and 90's I did no knitting at all. In my free time, I enjoyed making pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs.

My good friend, Lisa, taught me how to make the eggs. We did not have any Ukrainian background, just a how-to book and a keen interest. My now husband and I shared this pasttime while we were dating. I taught him how to make the eggs and we'd make them as Easter and Christmas gifts.

This year at Easter time, I dug out the old box of eggs and displayed them. The eggs in the ceramic egg crate (a gift from Mom) are large chicken eggs and the egg on the left is a peewee egg from a farm in Arizona. In storage I also have goose and ostrich egg shells waiting to be dyed.

If you ever want supplies for making pysanky get them here.

Six Weird Things

Marsha tagged me for this back in December and I'm finally getting around to it. I must be feeling particularly weird today.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with "Six Weird Things About Me." People who get tagged need to write a blog entry about their own six weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to tag six people and list their names. Don’t forget to write "You are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog to find out what that means.

If you are sure you really want to learn six weird things about me, read on.

1. I watch very little TV, but when I do I like watching those Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments.

2. I like to wash my feet before I go to bed.

3. My career in the fast food industry lasted 12 hours at McDonald's.

4. I don't have any fillings in my teeth.

5. This one is hard to explain. Here goes. When I eat from my plate, I eat around my plate so as not to complete any item entirely. For example, if I have chicken, potatoes and peas on my plate, I would eat some of each until only a bite of each remains. If I start to look low on potatoes, I either serve myself more or take an extra bite of chicken and peas to catch up.

6. I hate hearing the sound of people misusing the words: "fewer" and "less". Off the top of my head, I can't explain the grammatical rule, but I swear I can hear the misuse and it really is annoying to me. It's like hearing fingernails down a chalkboard.

Do I really have to tag six people now, I hate chain letters?

PS - My husband does not have a blog. Shucks - I would definitely tag him. You know that dangly thing at the back of your throat, your uvula. He has two. Now wait a minute, I just checked the spelling of "uvula" and learned that some people have a forked uvula. Maybe his is forked and he's not so weird afterall.

ooh, la, la

Today a package arrived from my Secret Pal. It made it across the Atlanitc, through a mid-April snowstorm and safely to my mailbox. Lucky for me! Look at the contents: cashmere yarn, size 1.5, 5" dpn, "Knitting" magazine from the UK, Belguim chocolates and cookie cutters? Did I mention the cashmere yarn? It is the only cashmere yarn I have ever owned and it is oh, so soft. Take a look at the colorway, it's perfect for me. I just want to keep touching it - I will definitely make something for myself with this yarn. SP10, is the cashmere you sent the 4-ply sock yarn you mention in your note? Have you made socks with cashmere?

I broke into the chocolates so fast, I forgot to photograph them before eating the milk chocolate covered whole hazelnut, see the crumpled foil wrap?

Thank you SP10, I hope you are being well-spoiled by someone.

A Thong!

I've never worn a thong in my life. So, what was it that struck me about this Lacy Thong in my Interweave Knits Spring 2007 issue? Maybe it was the thong as a quick knit. Or more likely, it was the fact that I recently had some corrective surgery and feel ready for a little lacy, sexy boost.

For whatever reason, I love the result.

Pattern: Laura Rintala, Interweave Knits, Spring 2007

Yarn: Wildflower D.K., col #24

Needles: US 5 and crochet hook D

Start Date: 4/11/07

Finish Date: 4/14/07

The Moebius Revisited

Friday morning I sat down to CO a moebius scarf. I frogged the first moebius scarf, when my Denise needle came apart and I dropped a bunch of stitches.

I picked up my new 52" Denise cable and carefully followed instructions for the CO. It felt so wonderful. The stitches seemed to take to my needles like soft butter to fresh warm bread. I was in the knitting zone. Oh, yea. This is why I knit.

Finally, It's A Hat!

I've been looking at my artyarns supermerino all winter and finally finished a hat, just in time for spring! I am most proud of this hat for the way I completed the top. After knitting the hat once, I realized it was too short to fit down over the ears. So, I frogged the top 1/3, planning to finish off the top with a good length of Knit Picks' Andean Silk, chocolate.

After a few rounds, I saw how the Knit Picks chocolate blended so nicely with the Artyarn that I ended up striping the chocolate with the Artyarn for what I think is a beautiful finish. Now that the hat is all said and done, the remaining artyarn measures only about 20 inches - that's calling it close!

Pattern: Barbara Albright, Ooh La Loopy Hat, Interweave Knits Gifts Holiday 2006
Yarn: Artyarn Supermerino #114 and Knit Picks, Andean Silk, Chocolate #23514.
Needles: US 5 dpns
Note: I did not do a gauge swatch. For this hat CO 88 sts, K even to 71/2" fits a 20" head.
Start Date: 3/09/07
Finish Date: 3/24/07

Economics 101

Today at the grocery store a man stopped me as I was choosing a cantelope from the display at the front of the store. "You don't want that cantelope. You don't know anything about Economics. The cantelopes in the back are better. They put the lousy looking ones up here. Let me tell you a story, I'll keep it short. I used to work for Pep Boys and one day the manager had me bring some ugly looking sunglasses from the back. We put them on display up front and jacked up the price and they sold like hotcakes! That's Econonmics 101." The man walked out of the store.

Yes, I went to choose a different cantelope.

3-29-07 Post updated to show actual photo of actual cantelope purchased.

Farm Visit

Today we visited Springton Manor Farm, a lovely county park that always feels like an escape from the hustle and bustle around us. When we go, we usually find just a few other visitors there. In the barn we saw piglets that were 10 days old and kids that had been born the night before. What a treat! The kids looked much older to me. They were already walking around and had their eyes wide open.

I did not take my camera, so I'm not posting photos today. If we go back soon, I'll be sure to take my camera.

Writer's Block

I'm experiencing a bit of writer's block. Is there such a thing as blogger's block? Maybe if I just get on here, it'll come back to me. Recently, my time has been spent toying around with some new-found interests: my iPod and the NYT crossword puzzle.

My husband returned from a business trip with a present for me, an iPod shuffle. The shuffles were given to all attendees at the conference, he already owns a nano, so I got the shuffle! I have finally broken into this whole new way to experience music and other downloads. I'm still in awe that it's so small. I can't wait to clip it to me at the gym.

The idea of doing NYT crosswords came from wanting to exercise my brain more. I did the local crossword for a day or two then we watched "Word Play". After seeing that movie, I wanted to do no puzzle other than one edited by the puzzle master, Will Shortz. I'm starting out slowly, so as not to fry my brain. I buy the Monday NY Times. Once I master Mondays puzzles, I'll move onto the puzzles later in the week that get increasingly more difficult.

SP10 Questionairre

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite yarns to knit with are soft cottons, merino wools or cotton/wool blends. I’d like to experiment with yarns of unusual fiber content like bamboo. I do not like eye-lash or bulky, fluffy yarn.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My circular needles are in a zippered case, my dpns are in a manila envelope and my straight needles will hopefully find a new home in a felted case that I intend to make (see my Nov 1, 2006 post)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for about 35 years. I first learned English knitting from my mother and later my aunt taught me the Continental style of knitting. I consider my skill level to be intermediate.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

No, but if you need ideas, I could give you some via an e-mail message.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I like lemon and lavender.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Yes, I have a sweet tooth. My favorite candies these days are malted milk balls and Belgium Chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Though I haven’t made one for a long time, I like to make Ukrainian Eggs. I do not spin.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

Joan Armatrading, Joni Mitchell, The Indigo Girls, John Prine and Cowboy Junkies are some of my favorites. I like being introduced to new artists, so go ahead and send some if you’d like - my computer can play MP3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

My favortie color is green. Hey, I like purples and orange too. I really can’t stand teal.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am happily married to a great guy and have 2 amazing daughters. We have a dog, he is a big Akita who is 14 years old.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

I do like to wear hats and mittens and an occasional warm scarf. Ponchos? No.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I really enjoy knitting socks - the turning of the heel seems like magic to me.

13. What are you knitting right now?

Last night I just binded off my red scarf project. I will have it all ready for the 2008 collection.
I’m knitting my first toe-up sock.
I’m knitting a hat for my husband that doesn’t fit his head yet – after 2 attempts!

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Oh, yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer to knit on bamboo needles, straight or circular are fine.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? No

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A child’s sweater in need of repair – I knitted it 20 years ago and 5 years ago it resurfaced in need of repair.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

I enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas very much. But as for a favorite, I’d have to say Groundhog Day. I like that you don’t see Ground Hog Day displays in the stores. On that day, I like to bake spicy ground hog cookies and watch the movie, Ground Hog Day. Some day I’d like to have a GroundHog Day Party – would you like to come?

19. Is there anything that you collect?

I collect cookie cutters – some old, some new, some metal, some plastic and all fun!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Someday I hope to add Cat Bordhi’s Second Treasury of Magical Knitting to my collection. I'd like set of wooden or bamboo size US 1.5 double pointed needles. I subscribe to Interweave Knits.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’d like to pick up an old project from a class I took awhile back to relearn fairisle and a steek. The instructor had us make wrist warmers to learn these techniques and the concepts never really sunk in for me.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I knit socks. My shoe size is US 8.5 with medium width.

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

03/17

The Gift of Yarn

I asked my loving husband for some soft sock yarn for Valentine's Day. Look at this lovely yarn he chose for me. My intention is to knit socks with it. I think I will use the skein on the right as a pair for me and the skein on the left as a pair for him. However, I like the idea from a fellow knitter tonight to use both skeins together in a pair of socks. That would be interesting.

Happy Groundhog Day

February 2nd is significant. The date is the approximate midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox - the start of Solar Spring as described by the Weather Doctor in an article on Celebrating Groundhog Day.

Punxsutawney Phil, the weather predicting groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pa., did not see his shadow today which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

Celebrate today. At least watch the movie, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray. Watch it once or go to The Colonial Theatre's special event - they are showing the movie over and over again.

Yarn Stash Rehash

Gina gave me the idea to use a shelf I had from IKEA to neatly store all my yarn. I've been hard at work over the past week.

Before:

After:

Many Thanks, Secret Pal

Thank you, SP9, for another parcel. You really know how to spoil a person. As if the parcel you sent earlier this month was not enough!

Now I receive a lovely book about your home town, colorful page markers and more chocolate. I'll enjoy learning more about Estonia and I already know that I will use the page markers in the Vogue Knitting book you gave me and in my cookbooks. We all know where the chocolate will go! Again, many thanks, you've been a great Secret Pal.

Red Scarf Project

Finally, I've got a red scarf on needles for The Red Scarf Project. Will it completed by the January 31, 2007 deadline? dunno. But, I'm having fun knitting it now and if it is not ready for 2007, hopefully there will be a 2008 Red Scarf Project and I can send it to them.

Yarn Hog Scarf

start date: 1/24/07
finish date: 3/1/07

finished measurements: 5 " x 59"

yarn: KnitPicks Swish Superwash (3 skeins)
color: Fired Brick
needles: US #6, single point

co 30 sts (or any even number)
rows 1 and 2; K1, P1,
rows 3 and 4; K across
repeat these 4 rows to desired length

1/28/07
update: scarf measures 19.25 inches long after one skein
I purchased 2 skeins and I want the finished scarf length to be at least 60 inches. So, now comes the dilemma: Do I buy I buy 1 or 2 more skeins?

Let It Snow!

Not much snow, but enough for a snowman. Our snowman has raisin eyes.

Toe-Up Socks and a Grab Bag

At our Thursday night knitting group, I was so happy to get my first lesson in knitting socks from the toe up. A member of our group once again volunteered her time to teach us. (By the way, I have not finished the moebius scarf yet, in fact I frogged it.) This toe up sock method is really cool. Once again, I had a great evening of knitting. Some day this week we hope to get together to learn the gussett part.

We also got a splendid surprise during our lesson. One of the seasoned knitters in our group realized she had too much sock yarn. She generously put intact skeins of sock yarn in small brown paper bags, enough in each bag to knit a pair of socks. Then we each reached in for a bag. What fun! Thanks!

Now, I move onto something ALMOST completely unrelated. One semester when I was taking a Fortran programming class, the professor would pass around a brown paper to collect our homework. We would put our floppy disks in the bag. Now that's an odd way to gather homework. At the time of Halloween, when the bag came around, I added a candy bar to the bag. Our professor never mentioned it, but we got a laugh.

This all reminds me of another funny story, but I'll save that one for another post.

Wow, Secret Pal!

Wow - what a package from my SP9! I found surprise after surprise: 2 skeins of yarn, a candle, a bar of soap, a pair of handknit mittens (SP9, did you make them?), a pair of bamboo dp needles, point protectors, a tiny leather notebook and chocolates. Just take a look!


Now for some close-ups. Here is the yarn:


Here are the mittens, needles and point protectors. Aren't they the cutest point protectors you've ever seen? There is one glove and one cap to keep your dp needles together. I don't have anything like it in bag of knitting gadgets. I keep my dp needles tied together with twisties from bread bags.


Look at this lovely little book.

This photo shows a US penny in it for scale.

And last here's the detail of the spine of the book and leather tie to hold it shut. I've got to come up with an idea for some precious notes to keep in here.

Two hats to frog

Over the weekend, I completed the half-dome hat for my husband and I whipped up a simple rolled brim hat for T. Both hats were to small for their intended recipients, so I frogged them. Now back to the drawing board, but not until I finish (uh hem, I need to start it too) my red scarf project.